The Role of the Climate Technology Centre and Network as a Climate Technology and Innovation Matchmaker for Developing Countries

Abstract

In this paper, the role of a matchmaker in transferring climate technologies to developing countries was explored from the perspective of open innovation. As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Technology Mechanism, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) has strong convening power amongst the stakeholders who are responsible for climate actions in their country. Our research identified that the CTCN has successfully provided “4 openness” models (open network, open request for Technical Assistance, open technology transfer and finance, and open knowledge for the public) to global partners through its technical assistance (TA) services. Then, on the basis of previous empirical Technical Assistance data and network management a new open innovation model was proposed by considering the CTCN matchmaking activities with key stakeholders (innovation networks) during the climate technology transfer processes. This model explains that the role of the CTCN and innovation networks such as academia/research institutions, governments, and the private sector can be interpreted as outside-in innovation at the first technology outsourcing stage, coupled innovation at the second technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) stage, and inside-out innovation at the third technology diffusion stage. Moreover, further matchmaker’s approaches for supporting developing countries to establish a conducive and sustainable innovation system were suggested for the extension of our new model.

Identifying and Assessing Sustainable Value Management Implementation Activities in Developing Countries: The Case of Egypt

“…VM provides sustainability to be included in a construction project [21,116]. In the sustainability sense of construction firms, it was found that they face several obstacles as they mature and have a positive social, environmental and economic impact [117]. These firms should also search for swift and new means of sustaining customer confidence [107].…”

Technological Innovation, the Kyoto Protocol, and Open Innovation

“…First, further global climate governance should facilitate network creation and matchmaking of climate change mitigation technology. The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), which was established under a Technology Mechanism to promote action on climate change technology development and transfer [1,63], has great potential for this role. As Lee and Mwebaza [63] mentioned, the CTCN's collaborative approach focuses on open innovation to facilitate diffusion of climate technologies based on developing countries' requests and attract technology experts and providers.…”

“…The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), which was established under a Technology Mechanism to promote action on climate change technology development and transfer [1,63], has great potential for this role. As Lee and Mwebaza [63] mentioned, the CTCN's collaborative approach focuses on open innovation to facilitate diffusion of climate technologies based on developing countries' requests and attract technology experts and providers. Thus, effective international regimes can expand their role as facilitators of open innovation by looking to existing institutions like CTCN as examples.…”

Somavilla Croxatto, Lucas; (2021) Connected Developments: The Governance of Formal Global Knowledge Networks in Sustainability Transformations

“…To assistance requests (Lee & Mwebaza, 2020). However, the empirical data collected in this research during the CTCN inception and its maturation period (2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020) also indicate attempts to standardise and hence narrow, spaces for co-production of the technologybased solution in the case of modelling tools and hydro-climate technologies in South East Asia (Croxatto et al, 2020), where the transfer of technology packages was identified seeking replicability, not openness.…”

“…However, the empirical data collected in this research during the CTCN inception and its maturation period (2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020) also indicate attempts to standardise and hence narrow, spaces for co-production of the technologybased solution in the case of modelling tools and hydro-climate technologies in South East Asia (Croxatto et al, 2020), where the transfer of technology packages was identified seeking replicability, not openness. The recent evaluation provided by Lee and Mwebaza (2020) Findings strongly suggest that there is a growing demand for negotiating diverse kinds of knowledge in global environmental governance. In addition, technological advancements in ICT together with the maturation of formal global networks require that actors build on the coordination of functions in ways more inclusive than current approaches.…”